Apply

How to apply

We are now open for applications, with a deadline for applications by the 16th September 2019. Please follow us on Twitter or check our News page for announcements of the next funding round.

To apply for a grant of up to £3,000 you need to fill in a relatively short application form. Make sure you have read our funding criteria listed below to ensure you are eligible to make an application, and check out our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you need any support or assistance please get in touch!

The funding process is democratic and participatory, and involves people working on and directly affected by the issues you are campaigning on. We hope this makes the process fair and accountable to applicants and our members. Please check out this page for more information about how our funding process works.

This funding round has been made possible by an action inquiry with Lankelly Chase Foundation, who will be learning about Edge Fund's participatory grant making methods during this funding round.

Edge Fund Criteria

Edge Fund supports those taking action for a just, equitable and sustainable world. We fund work that challenges abuses of power and aims to bring an end to the systems that cause injustice. This could be our economic system, our political system or any system that discriminates against people based on their identity or background (e.g. class, ability, gender, race, nationality, religion, sexuality, age or other factors).

What we fund:

Work that creates long-term change in society by addressing the causes of injustice and inequality.

Work addressing issues facing a particular community that is led by that community (e.g. a group working on issues around sex work should be led by people with direct lived experience of sex work).

Groups based in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.

We fund small groups that struggle to get funding elsewhere, particularly if other funders might consider them to be too radical. The average income of groups we fund is around £2500. If you’ve received funding from mainstream sources, such as the Big Lottery or local council, or have several paid staff, we’re probably not the fund for you.

We fund all types of non-profit organisations, including groups that are not formally registered.

Groups who have a religious purpose are welcome to apply but we don’t provide financial support for any activity, initiative or project where the primary aim is to promote religion.

What we do not fund:

We do not fund traditional charity work that only addresses symptoms of injustice and inequality without aiming to tackle the root causes. So, for example, we would not support activities that only improve health and well-being, or relieve financial hardship and unemployment, or improve social inclusion and harmony, or conserve the environment, or advance education and training. Read more about our values

We do not fund groups with an annual income over £25,000.

We are unlikely to fund groups which have been formed within 6 months of applying to Edge Fund.

We do not fund commercial or business activity.

We rarely support registered charities, community interest companies or social enterprises as they usually have more funding options than other types of groups, and do not have radical aims. If you are unsure, please get in touch to ask us if you are eligible before applying.

We do not support international groups or issues. Groups in the UK & RoI that are targeting a UK & RoI-based target in response to an injustice outside the UK & RoI can apply. For example, we would fund a group of environmentalists within the areas we cover, targeting an company based in the UK & RoI for their crimes abroad. We would not fund a group in a country outside the UK & RoI, targeting a company in the UK or RoI.

We do not support political parties.

We are not currently accepting applications from individuals. We suggest that you find a few like-minded people and create a group for your project.

We do not fund work that is in partnership with, or promotes, the military or police.

We do not fund the ‘service user’ groups of larger charities. These charities usually have enough access to funding.

Think you are eligible?

Apply here or fill out this application and email it to apply@edgefund.org.uk by the date mentioned in our funding round timeline. If you need help with the application contact us.

Still unsure?

If you’re unsure about whether you fit the guidelines above you might want to take a look at our previous grants.

You’re also welcome to contact us. Send us a few lines about your group and a link to your website (if you have one) by email info@edgefund.org.uk or call 0776 712 6915 or 0300 123 1965.